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Overview of changing colors in a SmartArt graphic

You can use colors to enhance the message in your SmartArt graphic. For example, you can change the color of an individual shape, or you can change the colors of all the shapes in your SmartArt graphic by applying a different color combination. Color thumbnails show the different ways colors are applied (such as, alternating or darkest to lightest), instead of how colors are used.

You can also apply colors from your document's theme colors to your SmartArt graphic, and the color variations automatically match the colors that are used in your slide or document. If you change the document theme, your SmartArt graphic will also reflect the new theme colors.

Change the color of a shape

Under SmartArt Tools, on the Format tab, in the Shape Styles group, click the arrow next to Shape Fill, and then click the color that you want. To choose no color, click No Fill.

Fig. 1 The Shape Styles group under the SmartArt Tools Format tab in PowerPoint 2013.

If you do not see the commands on the
Format tab, you might have to double-click the
Format tab to open the commands.

To change to a color that is not in the theme colors, click More Fill Colors, and then either click the color that you want on the Standard tab, or mix your own color on the Custom tab. Custom colors and colors on the Standard tab are not updated if you later change the document theme.

Change the color of a shape border

If you want to change multiple shape borders to the same color, click the first shape, and then press and hold Ctrl while you click the other shapes.

Under SmartArt Tools, on the Format tab, in the Shape Styles group, click the arrow next to Shape Outline, and then click the color that you want. To hide the border, click No Outline.

Fig. 2 The Format tab under SmartArt Tools in PowerPoint 2013.

If you do not see the
SmartArt Tools or
Format tab, make sure that you have selected a SmartArt graphic. You might have to double-click the shape to open the
Format tab.

To change to a color that is not in the theme colors, click More Outline Colors, and then either click the color that you want on the Standard tab, or mix your own color on the Custom tab. Custom colors and colors on the Standard tab are not updated if you later change the document theme.

Change the color or style of the whole SmartArt graphic

Under SmartArt Tools, on the Design tab, in the SmartArt Styles group, click Change Colors, and then click the thumbnail that you want.

Fig. 3 The Design tab under SmartArt Tools in PowerPoint 2013.

If you do not see the
SmartArt Tools or
Design tab, make sure that you have selected a SmartArt graphic. You might have to double-click the shape to open the
Design tab.

Notes:

To see how a color will be applied to your SmartArt graphic before you select a thumbnail, place your pointer over the thumbnail that you want, and then look at your SmartArt graphic.

You can also apply professional-looking styles to your SmartArt graphic by choosing an option in the SmartArt Styles group. Click the More
menu to see all the available styles, and place your pointer over the thumbnails to preview how each style will look.

To make sure your document will look good printed in black and white, you can preview how it will look. Click a shape in your SmartArt graphic, and on the Design tab, click the arrow on Change Colors and then click a thumbnail under Primary Theme Colors.